What Is A UV Aquarium Sterilizer

A UV Aquarium Sterilizer is a natural and safe way of reducing pathogens and algae which are the main causes of Green Water. Ultraviolet is as natural as sunlight. Different from treating the water with chemicals which can be harmful to your aquatic life, beneficial bacteria, and plants in your fish tank, Ultraviolet does not leave behind any residue in the water and thus cannot harm them. A UV aquarium sterilizer functions together with other normal aquarium by reducing the green water caused by algae that will ultimately reduce the filter's efficiency and harm the fish and plants. Protecting Your Fish For almost thirty years now, the UV aquarium sterilizer has been a great alternative to harsh copper sulfate chemical treatments which were once used to control waterborne pathogens and kill algae. Know The Truth About Ultraviolet It does not matter whether you choose to call Ultraviolet a water clarifier or a water sterilizer, the design, performance, and operating principals still remain the same. The success of a UV aquarium sterilizer is measured by its ability to kill the microorganisms it targets. The following are five main conditions which will determine the ability of a UV aquarium sterilizer to perform its functions to optimum levels. 1. The Lamp Type The two lamp types are low-pressure or medium/high-pressure. It would be better to choose a low-pressure lamp to use as UV aquarium sterilizers. 2. The Length of the Lamp The longer the lamp, the more water is exposed to the Ultraviolet light, thus providing better sterilization. 3. The Physical Design The physical design of the UV aquarium sterilizer water exposure chamber determines the distance Ultraviolet light has to travel from the surface of the lamp to the inner wall of the UV's water containment vessel and this will ultimately determine the unit's Ultraviolet dose rate at any given water flow rate. 4. The Condition of the Water The condition of the water also plays a part. The term used to express the how effective an Ultraviolet light source is to treat a body of water is known as percent transmittance. This is a value expressed in percent and this indicates the quality of the water to be treated. A higher percent transmittance gives a higher effectiveness of the UV aquarium sterilizer in treating the water. 5. Water Flow Rate How fast the water flows through the UV contact chamber. How much water passes the UV filter will determine the unit's actual UV dose rate, which is generally expressed in microwatts per second per square centimeter or (u-watts-sec/cm2). 6. Other Important Factors These include the positioning of the lamp and whether you use multiple lamps.